Journal lubricator



May 26, 1942. R. w. MILLER ,2 9

JOURNAL LUBRICATOR Filed Oct. 19, 1939 4 Sh'eets-Sheet 1 2.6 4fludoMllM/iller May 26, 1942. R. w. MILLER JOURNAL LUBRICATOR Filed Oct.19. 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 26, 1942. R. w. MILLER JOURNAL LUBRICATORFiled Oct. 19, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 26, 1942 2,283,939JOURNAL LUBRIGATOR Radian W. Main, Winona, 7

Application caster 19,1999, Serial Ni). 300,254 1 Q 1? cents. (oi.sot-'85?) The invention relates to lubricators and has as an object theprovision' of a lubricator comprising preformed felt elements and havingmeans to prevent splashing of oil from the rear of the journal box.

Further objectsof theinvention are to provide a device of this characterhaving twist-preventing means of improved form; having means to pre ventimproper installation b'eing formed toprm long life; having a splashguard at the rear'of the journal box with means to keep it in properrelation to the opening below the journal.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription when read in eon:

nection with the accompanying drawings showing illustrative embodimentsof the invention, and

wherein-- Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a journal box withone form of lubricator in place; Fig. 2 is atransverse section online'Z-Z of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a twist-prevent-' ing U-iron; f j f Fig.4 is a perspective view of a felt element; Fig. 5 is a perspective viewof a portion of the fitting at the-front of the box; U

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figuri j- 1 of a differ: ent form of thedevice s Figs. 7 and 8 are detail verticalse'ctions" respectively ofother forms of the device;

Fig. '9 is an expanded perspective view of portions'of the-form ofFigure '7;

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective View of the rod used in the form ofFigure 6;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Figure 3 of another form of U-iron; V f

Fig.- 12 is a detail side elevation showing a 'further form ofexpansible U-iron;

Fig; 1-3 is a side elevation of a' still further form of expansibleU-iron; I

Fig. 14 is aview similar to Figures? and "8 of another form of thedevice at therear of the box;

Fig. 15 isa view similar to Figures 1 and 6 showing a still furthermodification;

Fig. 1-6 is a detail vertical sectionthrough the rear of a, journal boxshowing a combination of a dust guard and sealing flap; p s

Fig. 17 is a detail vertical transverse section through the rear portionof a journalbox showing a splash guard ofthe invention secured therein;and

Fig.- 18 'is'a-detail section on'line l8l8 of Figure 17;

Fig. 19 is a view showing steps of preparation of felt elements.

As shown the journal box is indicated at [5 and the journal at It havinga collar [1 and fillet It. A usual form of dust guard is indicated atI!) housed in aslot 20 at the rear of the journal box, the opening thefjournal box at -2I being of sufiicient size to passthe collar l1in'theusualmanner. 1 v

I As shown,'-the lubricator comprises separate felt elements -2-2, showni nelevat'ion, in Figure 2 and in perspective in Figure 4,, the elementsformed ar'cu'eite at their surfaces 23 to substan tiallj fit the journaland having Wick elements 24, 25, 2B projeetiiig downwardly from theirbodies 21. To hold the arms of the bodies 21 in proper relation to thejournal even when soaked with 'o'il, thereare shown spring wires 28fastened to the bodies}? as by stiching 29 A To press the lubricate!elements 2? against the journal springs SiL'one being shown as suppliedfor each element 22, are shown reacting between thebodies 21 and thebottom of the journal box. The wick elements 24 are surrounded by thesprings 30 as shown and thewicks 25 and 26' extend downwardl'y'irom thebodies 21 exterior of the springs whereby they are not subject to anycompression or any action'of the springs which would interrere withtheirporosity and capillaritv -'Io preserve the elements 2; in vertical,latof its element 22 into the socket provided by the adjacent bushing31. A

-To" hold the fro'nt' end of the-assembled lubrica'tdr inlocationlaterally and circumferentially, while permitting verticalmotion in response to the relative motion between the journal box andthe journal, there is shown a bolt 36 engaged'in an opening in the frontof the journal box-and secured therein by nuts '31 and lock nuts 38, thebolt having a plate 39' provided with a hinge member :40 acting withahinge member H carried upon a fitting 52 shown in perspective inFigure: 5; The opening 43' in the fitting 42 is rectangular in crosssection and the flattened rod '32 projecting iromthe front element 32and deflected downwardly as shownat 44 to clear the collar 11 enters theopening 43 and thereby prevents twisting of the front end of thelubricator.

To prevent twisting of the rear end of the 111- bri'ca'to'r', thfere isshown a piece of rod of the same charaote'r as 32, 32" indicated at 45;which has its rear end turned downwardly'to a portion 46 secured to theU-iron d'l which may be in th form shown 'in Figures 1, 2, and 3, orthat shown in Figures 11, 12, or 13.

The U-iron 41 is shown as provided with projections 48 from whichportions may be ground in order to fit the U-iron to the interior ofjournal boxes of slightly different width so that the iron may movevertically with slight movements of the journal box relative to thejournal. To hold the U-iron in place while the first element 22 is beingassembled therewith, a socket 49 is shown as provided upon the edge ofat least one of the arms which may be engaged by a hook to place theiron in position.

Considerable difiiculty has been encountered with an excess of oilescaping at the rear of the box as by splashing, when a lubricator ofthe present type is used, where there is a body of oil subject to suchaction. To' prevent this there is shown a splash guard 50 carried by theU-iron and preferably made of flexible synthetic rubber. In many casesthe simple flap of flexible material will be sufficient but if it isfound that there is still too much escape of oil, an additional rib imay be supplied upon the upper edge of the flap 50 of a proper verticaldimension to pass through the opening 2| into contact with the dustguard I9.

When the journal box l5 is jacked up for renewal of the brasses thesprings 30 will be compressed, the fitting 42 will move about its hingemember and the upper edge of the flap 50 will contact with the fillet l8of the journal which will result in deflection of the flap inwardlyalong the surface of the fillet.

To press the flap rearwardly into sealing position there is shown inFigure l a spring member 52 secured to the U-iron with its upper endinturned so as to yield inwardly when the journal box is jacked up butwhich normally presses against the flap 50. A similar member 53 is shownbelow the U-iron acting in a like manner for the lower portion of theflap.

An alternative structure for this purpose is indicated in Figure 6 wherethere are shown coiled springs 54, 55, which may be anchored to the armsof the U-iron and being stretched into position will yield inwardly withdeflection of the flap but will normally be tensed to straight positionby the anchors to hold the fiap in operative position.

In the form of Figure 6 a solid rod 56 is substituted for the sectionalrod shown in Figure 1. The U-iron 41 is provided with a socket 51 to beengaged by a downwardly projecting terminus 58 of the rod 56, the frontend of the rod entering a socket in the fitting member 42' as in theform of the device already described.

To prevent the installation of the rod 56 in inverted position, thesocket 51 is shown as formed with a rib 59 and the terminus 58 with agroove 60 to match. In order to prevent the rod 56 from being insertedin the socket 51 wrong end to, the socket 51 and the terminus 58 aremade of less width than the body of the rod 56.

The felt elements 22' to be used with this form of the device aresimilar to those of the form of Figure l but have plain bushings onlyextending therethrough.

To prevent rod 56 from coming into contact with the journal when movedabnormally, the end elements 22' as shown in Figure 6 are recessed at6|, 62 respectively to project over the metal. The length of life of thelubricator will be determined by the wear of the felt elements and ifthey can be worn nearer to the surface of the rod 56 their life will belonger than would otherwise be the case. To give additional term of lifethe front end of the rod 56 is shown as thinned away at 63 through theportion which enters the socket of the fitting 42.

In the form of Figures '1 and 9 a socket member 64 is shown as securedto the rear wall of the box and a section of rod 65 formed with adownturned end 66 to enter the socket. In order that the wrong end ofthe section 65 may not be inserted into the socket, lugs 61 are shownformed upon the downturned end 66 entering grooves 68 in the socket. Toprevent the rod 65 from escaping from the socket during abnormalmovement, the upper edge of one groove 68 may be deflected inwardly asat 69 after the rod 65 is in place.

To enable the U-iron to be used with journal boxes of different sizeswithout excessive or even any grinding away of the projections 48, the Uiron may be made expansible. In the form of Figure 11 the iron is shownas divided longitudinally into overlapping parts 10, 1| hinged togetheras at 12 and pressed outwardly by means of a fiat spring 13 secured at14 to the main portion of the U-iron and pressing at its upper endagainst the member 10 to urge the same outwardly in the box. Two sockets49 are shown upon this form of the U-iron which may be engaged by twotool hooks to hold the U-iron somewhat collapsed While it is beinginserted after which it will be pressed outwardly by means of spring 13.

A further form of U-iron may have one of its arms adjusted relative tothe other thereof as indicated in Figure 12 where two overlapping parts15, 16 are serrated at their meeting portions and clamped together byclamp bolts 11 when adjusted to the size required.

In Figure 13 an expansible U-iron is shown comprising one arm 18 hingedat 19 to the remainder of the iron and held in outward adjusted positionby spring brace member BIJ'rigid- 1y secured at 8| to the hinged leg andco-acting with teeth 82 carried by the iron.

Figure 14 shows a form of spring to press the sealing flap to positioncomprising spring fingers 83, 84 secured to the bushing of the rear feltelement 22. Secured to the U-iron 41 is shown a rod section 85 enteringthe bushing 3| and thus supporting the U-iron in position.

In Figure 15 is shown a fiat rod 56' of the form of Figure 6 but shorterand combined with a section of rod 32' carried by the outer element 22coacting with the socket 42". The section of rod 32' is shown asdownwardly off-- set and hence no part of it will contact the journalbefore the felt is completely worn down to the bushing. This form of thedevice cannot be installed wrong by unskilled labor.

Also in this form of the device the sealing flap 50' is extended toengage tie bottom of the box at 85. At times the U-iron is found to tiltforwardly in the box during movements of the box which allows thesealing flap to leave position. To prevent this there is shown in thisfigure a leaf spring 86 pressed by the U-iron and having a loop at itsend bearing upon a wear-resisting rivet 61 carried by the flap.

A form of sealing flap carried by the dustguard 88 is shown in Figure 16comprising a flap, as of rubber, riveted to the dustguard and retainedin sealing position by a spring member 89.

The splash guard 50 of Figures 17 and 18 is shown as secured to thejournal box structure. As shown a metal angle 90 is placed against theguard and cap screws 9! are passed through the angle and guard to enterscrewthreaded openings in the wall of the dust guard channel. The anglemay be welded in place or cast integral with the box and the splashguard slipped into the thus provided channel. In the event that it isdesired to space the splash guard forwardly from the fillet of the axlea pair of such angles may be provided secured to the bottom and sides ofthe box or a pair of spaced ribs cast integral therewith to provide asplash guard receiving channel.

Tohold the splash guard in position, there is shown in these figures acoilspring 52' anchoredat its ends to the angle 90 under considerabletension. This spring may be secured between its ends to the splash guardin any desired manner, as shown by hasps 92. To give added clearance ofthe spring from the axle, the center of the spring is shown as tied downby a flexible member 93 anchored at 94 to the angle 90. When the box isjacked up to change brasses the guard and spring will yield, to bereturned to normal position by the tension of the spring when the jackis removed.

As illustrated in Fig. 19 the felt elements are cut from the sheet inthe relative positions as shown, to save material. To effect afurthersaving the journal contacting surface is cut on a curve or less radiusthan that to be fitted. For instance for a inch journal the curve mightbe cut on an arc of a 4% inch circle. The wire 28 will be initiallycontracted more than desired in order that when contracted and attachedto the felt it shall spread the felt to approximately the 5% inchcircle.

Minor changes may be made in the physical embodiments of the inventionwithin the scope of the appended claims without departing from thespirit thereof.

I claim: 7

1. A journal lubricator and oil retainer comprising, in combination:journal contacting abs o 1;bent pad means comprising a plurality ofelements each extending perpendicular to the axis of the journal, springmeans to press said pad means to the journal surface; non-circular rodmeans penetrating said pad means, preserving the vertical, lateral andcircumferential alignment of said elements; means engaging said rodmeans at its forward portion to prevent lateral and twisting movementsthereof; twist preventing means so engaged by the rear portion of saidrod means as to permit vertical movement of said rod; unrestricted wickmeans projecting downwardly from said pad means to dip into a pool ofoil in the journal box and a flexible flap member carried by said twistpreventing means to prevent splash of said oil through the rear of thejournal box.

2. A journal lubricator comprising, in combination: a plurality of padelements to contact the journal surface; means to press said elementsagainst said surface; non-circular rod means penetrating said elements;the rear end of said rod means offset downwardly and projecting beyondthe rear element; a rigid twist preventing member supported by saidprojecting portion.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein one of the engaging portions ofsaid rod and member is a socket and the remaining portion projectsthereinto.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein the pad elements and the offsetportion enters a socket carried by the member, with means to preventinsertion of the rod in the socket in a wrong position.

5. The combination of claimv 2 wherein the rod means extends through aplurality of the pad elements and the offset portion enters a socketcarried by the member, with a complementary rib and groove means carriedby the engaging surfaces of the rod and socket to prevent wronginsertion.

6. A journal lubricator comprising, in combination: a plurality of padelements to contact the surface of a journal; means to press saidelements against said surface; a non-circular rod penetrating theassembled elements having its rear end downwardly offset; socket meansmounted in the box to receive the forward end of said rod; rigid twistpreventing means having a socket to receive the. rear end of said rod;the last named rod end being smaller in at least one dimension than theforward end md means extends through a plurality of the 7 of the rod toprevent insertion of the wrong end of the rod in the rear socket; thesocket and rear rod end engaging surfaces formed with complementary riband groove conformations to prevent insertion of the rod in invertedposition. a

7. In a lubricator having an alignment rod: a U-iron carried by the rod;and a splash guard carried bythe U-iron to engage the rear wall of thejournal box.

8. The combination of claim 7 in which the splash guard is flexible anda spring means is carried by the structure acting to press the guardagainst the rear wall of the journal box.

9. The combination of claim '7 with a rib carried by the splash guardextending into contact with the dust guard.

10. The combination of claim 1 in which the farward pad element isrecessed to receive the forward rod engaging means, to prevent contactthereof with the journal.

11. A journal lubricator comprising, in combination: a plurality of padelements to contact the journal surface; means to press said elementsagainst said surface; a non-circular rod means penetrating said elementsand having a downwardly bent rear end to enter a twist preventingsocket; a socket to receive said end; means to prevent circumferentialmovement of said socket relative to the journal; coacting surfaces ofsaid end and of the interior of said socket formed with complementaryrib and groove means to prevent error in insertion of the rod means end.

12. A felt element for journal lubricators comprising a body cut from asheet, said body as out having a journal contacting surface formed onthe arc of a circle with a diameter materially less than the diameter ofthe journal to be fitted; and a U shaped wire support attached to saidbody under contraction whereby to expand said are to substantially fitthe journal.

13. In a lubricator having an alignment rod: a U iron carried by saidrod comprising a central portion; an arm projecting upwardly therefrom;a second arm united to said central portion by an adjustable mechanicalconnection, movable when loosened to permit adjustment of the separationof the arms; and mechanical means to hold the said movable arm inadjusted position against movement toward the first named arm.

RUDOLPH W. MILLER.

